I just want to close out 2014 with a review of the posts you loved the most on Affatshionista this year. Over the course of the year, more than 90,000 readers visited our site. So what were the most popular posts of 2014?
Category Archives: Plus Size Thrifting
Facebook, The New Online Plus Size Thrift Store – v. 2014
This outfit is a combination of FatToo Grand, ebay, Crafting (do it yourself) and a gift.
There are many plus size used clothing sites on Facebook. I just bought this dress on FatToo Grand, from one of my fellow Ahead of the Curve Bloggers for $30 shipped. Great deal, I am sure she did not wear it much and I know ASOS Curve sizing so I knew it would probably fit, but I could just as easily have missed it if I had not been online.
The FatToo groups have the most complete rules and the sellers are individuals. Some of the other sites allow small business owners. One other tip, if you later want to find something, if you can remember what group it was in, there is search capacity for the groups, on the upper right hand of the page under the cover photo. I make a screen shot of everything I buy or sell so I have a record of what I paid and I can go back and let the seller know I received the item.
Measurements: Rule of Thumb: On all of the FatToo groups it is pretty safe to double the measurement in your head if it is in the 20s and 30s. If it’s in the 40s and up, it is likely the actual full measurement.
READ THE RULES BEFORE POSTING: There are rules about sizing, about who was the first person to say “I want it”, when you can “bump” an older post to the top of the list, and above all, these sites are not money making sites. They are a place for us to exchange clothes, and help one another wear fabulous clothes.
Most of these groups are “Private”. In order to join, go to the far right side of your screen and click the * and click to ask to join the group. Women only!
I am going to list a few and you can see what might work for you:
FatToo: Sizes 20+ over 11,533 members
FatToo Grand: Size 28+ 3,574 members
FatToo Accessora: Shoes, purses, belts, etc. 5,366 members
FatToo Incognito: Costumes 3,048 members
FatToo Night: Nightwear, intimates 4,650 members
FatToo Lite, the Prequel: Sizes 12-18. (Combo size 18/20 can be listed in FatToo Lite, the Prequel or in FatToo) 562 Members
FatToo Fancy and Bridal: Fancy, prom, formal, or bridal clothing 3,020 members
FatToo Anonymous: All the fashion, chat, spillover from the group FatToo. Post pictures of yourself wearing your FatToo Purchases. I find this is especially useful for asking about a vendor you have not used before. Fatpositive only 3,084 members
FatToo ISO: Looking for, want, or any form of In Search Of is allowed 2,203 members
FatToo Blue Light Special: A place to post plus size coupons, sales, etc.! 2,416 Members
Fatshion: This group provides a spot for people to show what they are wearing and where thy got it. Kind of like a “superblog”. I read it everyday!
Cautionary Tales:
- Beware, get to know the site a little before you send anyone any money.
- Almost all transactions are done thru Paypal, so you are trusting someone to send you something. If there is an ongoing problem with someone they will probably get banned from the group, but you could lose your money in the interim.
- There is also the sizing issue, the groups are very strict about posting in the correct size, and different people define that differently. There are no returns for the most part so check the sizing and be sure you ask for the measurements where you might be unusual. I have smallish arms but a big waist, since I am an apple shape.
- In addition there are quality issues, I bought some summer clothes recently and they were in pretty bad shape and had been cheap to begin with, but some other things have been great.
On the other hand, I have NEVER bought a piece of clothing at a thrift store unless it was a plus size store and those are few and far between. So I am loving these online thrift stores and am willing to take an occasional loss to get something fun at a discount.
There are many other groups but I cannot really tell you about them since I do not belong to them, but you can search at the top of your Facebook page for plus size clothing and mostly you can tell who the vendors are and what groups might be more individual sales groups. If you know of any other on-line sites that you love, feel free to share them.
Peace…affinity
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Affatshionista Thrifts
ASOS Curve U.S. Size 22 (fits me at 26/28) – Similar
Purchased on FatToo Grand for $30 including shipping
When our blogging collective Ahead of the Curve decided on the subject of Plus Size Thrifting I was concerned because I had just written a post a few weeks ago about thrifting, and here was the subject coming up again. But, since my husband and I just retired a couple of years ago, and I still want to be able to spend money on clothes, I set out to find a bargain I liked enough to blog about.
Alberto Makali Size 3X Pleated Shirt from Ebay $30 including shipping
(Although a 3X, because of the pleating, I thought it might fit, and it did!)
After the dress, I wanted something to dress it up, so I found this Alberto Makali pleated Shirt on ebay.
To compare my measurements to yours, click HERE.
Charm Bracelet (DIY, charms were made by my jewelry class taught by Patrik Kuzek)
Pendant (A gift from Jennybird Alcantara)
But then I wanted to find something I already had in my jewelry box. So it seemed like a “Do It Yourself” bracelet, and a gifted pendant that I had never worn would be great choices. And even the elastic belt was a gift that arrived in the package with the dress, although I had not purchased it.
I had a lot of fun with this challenge. Click HERE for some thrifting tips from the Curvy Fashionista.
When I was researching thrifting I came across this lovely quote.
“Second-hand stuff leaves you more open to whatever your own personal style is rather than feeling dictated to by shops.” Sophie Ellis Bextor
Don’t stop now! Click HERE to check out all the chic, smart ways other bloggers from AHEAD OF THE CURVE interpreted this month’s theme, Plus Size Thrifting.
Let thrifting be the guilty pleasure you don’t really have to feel guilty about.
Peace…affinity
photos: Leori Gill Photography
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A Plus Size Approach to Splurge vs. Save
Recently my husband and I retired and we had to take a new approach to money. Money feels different when you have a limited income and we took it as an opportunity to live more modestly. When I met my husband, over 20 years ago, I was about $35,000 in credit card debt, and he helped me get on a budget and pay off my credit cards, and live in a cash world. So, what does that look like when you are a plus size clothing blogger. It means you find a way to buy clothes on sale, do some thrift shopping, or to take a “do it yourself” point of view, and I do all three.
I found this sweater at Modcloth that I loved and thought would be very becoming, but since I had recently splurged on a Moto Jacket that I had been waiting to go on sale, I knew I was going to have to find a bargain.
I decided thrifting was the way to go, but because I am even a little larger than a regular plus size, which is usually a size 3X/24, and I am a size 4X/26, I suspected that my local Goodwill or a regular thrift store was probably not going to work. So I knew my best option was to try on line. I recently wrote about shopping for vintage/pre-owned clothing in my size. I started with ebay, because they have such a wide selection of clothing, but I did not have any luck, so I moved on to FatToo Grand for Size 28+, a group on Facebook where women can share clothing that is no longer working for them (it is a private group, you have to request entrance). The FatToo groups are not intended to make money for the creators of the group or the sellers, it is not a commercial venture.
And guess what, I found this fun sweater, for $5 plus shipping. It is perfect for spring and that was an especially good price, and similar in style to what I was looking for. So it was a great savings, and it feels really good to get a good bargain.
When I am thinking about making a purchase, I like to think in terms of what it would take to earn that amount, or what percentage of my income it will be. Will I love the clothes as much as it feels good to have savings and live within my budget?
I was invited to participate in the “Splurge vs. Save” Campaign by writing this post, through Credit Card Insider. I loved their goals: “We are advocates of the responsible use of credit, building and managing your credit history, and making informed decisions when selecting a credit card.” Because it is work we all need to do in our lives.
What do you think, do you love to get a great deal, and save some money for the future?
I would love to hear more about your hunt for a bargain.
Peace…affinity
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Plus Size 24+ Vintage/Previously Owned Clothing
I know you know I love “vintage”. There is not much of it in a Size 24+, and I suspect the term used clothing would be more appropriate than vintage. Please click on the links underneath each photo, above, for more information.
But I love it just the same, and there are some good deals out there if you are willing to shop.
So I thought I would go on a hunt to see what I can find in my size (I can usually wear a UK Size 28, to compare my measurements to yours, click HERE) and here are my results.
- Beth Ditto, All Sizes from Evans Line as well as recent t-shirts, All Sizes
- The Curvy Elle Size 24+ (New to me, there are other sizes on other pages of her shop)
- ebay Pre-Owned Size 4X
- ebay Pre-Owned Size 5X
- ebay Pre-Owned Size 28/30
- ebay Pre-Owned Size 6X
- ebay Pre-Owned Size 30/32
- Etsy Vintage Size 4X
- Etsy Vintage Size 5X
- Etsy Vintage Size 6X
- Etsy Vintage Size 7X+
- Etsy FatFancy (not sure these are used or vintage)
- Urban Thick All Inventory (not much in the 4x+ range)
- Fabulous Fatshion
- Plus Size Auction Site, but I did not find much clothing on it.
And of course my list of the FatToo Groups and other plus size clothing groups on Facebook can be found HERE, with a special shout out to FatToo Grand Size 28+. The FatToo groups are not intended to make money for the creators of the group or the sellers, it is not a commercial venture. It is just a way to share clothing that is no longer working for the seller. There are rules, and I suggest you read them before you buy or sell anything.
I would love to hear from you if you have suggestions to add to my list.
I expect that there will be additions as I go along, so check back now and again and see if I have added anything.
Peace…affinity
